Balasore is one of the coastal district of Orissa,lies
on the northern most part of the state having 21 degree 03’ to 21 degree
59’ North Latitude & 86 degree 20’ to 87 degree 29’ East Longitude.
Geographical area of the district is 36, 34 Sqr. KM. Midnapore
district of West Bengal is in its North, the Bay of Bengal is on the east
and Bhadrak district lies on the South whereas Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar
districts are on its western side. As per the 2001 Census, the population
is 20,23,000 comprising 10,38,000 males and 9,85,000 females.

Broadly this
district can be divided into three geographical regions, namely, the
Coastal belt, the inner alluvial plain and the North-Western hills. The
coastal belt is about 26 Kms wide and shapes like a strip. In this region,
sand dunes are noticed along the coast with some ridges. This region is
mostly flooded with brackish water of estuarine rivers which is unsuitable
for cultivation. But, presently this area is utilized for coconut and
betel cultivation. Shrimp culture and salt manufacturing units are also
developing in this area recently. The second contiguous geographical
region is deltaic alluvial plain. It is a wide stretch of highly fertiled
and irrigated land. This area is highly populous and devoid of any jungle.
The third region, north-western hilly region covers most of Nilgiri
Sub-division. It is mostly hilly terrain and vegetated with tropical
semi-ever green forest. The hills of Nilgiri has highest peak of 1783 ft.
above the sea level. The Scheduled Tribe persons of the district are
mostly seen in this region of valuable forest resources and stone
quarries.

Balasore, the coastal district of Orissa is crisscrossed with perennial
and estuarine rivers because of its proximity to sea. Two
important rivers of Orissa , namely :- Budhabalanga and Subarnarekha
have passed through this district from west to east before surging into
the Bay of Bengal.The irrigation system in Balasore district is very much
widespread. Industrialization is also gaining ground as the rubber,
plastic,Paper and alloyes industries are mushrooming around Balasore town.

The soil of Balasore district is mostly alluvial laterite. The
soil of Central region is mostly clay, clay loam and sandy loam which is
very fertile for paddy and other farm produces. Nilgiri Sub-division is
mostly gravelly and lateritic soil, which is less fertile.

A small
strip of saline soil is also seen along the extreme coastal part of the
district.

The climate of Balasore district is mostly hot and humid. The hot season
starts from March till May and followed by rainy season from June to
September. During this period, south-west monsoon causes maximum rain. But
the district experiences highest rain fall during July and August. Because
of its strategic location, this district faces most of the cyclonic storm
and depression which is raised from the Bay of Bengal. The cold season
from December to February is very pleasant. The average temperature of the
district varies between 22*C to 32*C and the average rain fall is 1583
mm.

Balasore
district is divided into two sub-divisions namely Balasore, and Nilagiri
having 19 Police Stations,07 Tahasils for revenue and administrative
purposes.Only the sub-division Nilagiri is of hilly region with hillocks
and forest.For undertaking developmental works in the rural areas, the
district is also divided in to 12 Blocks.Besides,there are four statutory
towns consisting of 1 municipality and 3 NACs. These local bodies look
into civic aspects of urban areas.

The South
Eastern Railway covers a distance 102 Kms within Balasore District
connecting it with Kolkata , Bhubaneswar & Chennai. Besides, National
highways pass through the district and runs from Kolkata to Chennai .The
National highway No.5 covers a distance 66 Kms. and National highway No.60
covers a distance 53 Kms.within Balasore is about 220 kms (by road) & 232
kms (by rail) from Kolkata and about 215 kms by road & 206 kms by rail
from Bhubaneswar. The Kolkata International air port & Bhubaneswar
National air port are only about four hour journey by road/rail from
Balasore .

This is one of the most important district of Orissa which finds place not
only in the National map but also in International map for its History
,Geographical situation, Culture, Marine development and for important
institutions like Proof and Experimental establishment, Interim Test
Range.

A coastal
district on the north eastern Sea board Balasore has destination of having
been called the “ Granary of Orissa “ with stretches of green paddy fields
,a network of rivers blue hills, extensive meadows and extraordinary
breach.

The religious centers at Remuna ,Chandaneswar,Panchalingeswar, Sajanagarh,
Ayodhya ,Maninageswar temple at attraction for the tourists.